Is Scott Brown A Male Chauvinist?

The latest kerfuffle emerging from the highly entertaining 2012 election year involves a spat between incumbent Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) and Democratic frontrunner Elizabeth Warren.  In 1982, Sen. Brown posed nude for Cosmopolitan magazine and used the proceeds to help pay for his education.  During a recent debate among the Democratic contenders to face Brown in November, a question was asked regarding how the potential challengers paid for their education in light of Brown baring all 29 years ago.  Much to the delight of the crowd, Ms. Warren responded that she "kept her clothes on".  After hearing of Warren's remark, Brown later retored, "Thank God."

Brown and Warren Spar Over Nude Photo Shoot

Was Sen. Brown's comment in bad taste?  Certainly so.  Is he a male chauvinist?  I find that highly unlikely.  To me, this was an off the cuff quip that most likely does not reflect any sexist attitudes on Brown's behalf.  (For the record, I have no issue with his posing nude either.)

However, I think this speaks to a deeper issue.  Why in 21st Century America are we still basing our opinions and forming judgements of women based on their appearance?  There is an old saying that basically says that men will listen to other men and then decide if they like what they hear, but men will look at a woman and decide if they like what they see before paying any attention at all to what she says.  I can't tell you how many times my criticism of Sarah Palin has been greeted with "Yeah, but she's hot" from my male readers.  Are we to base our opinions of Ms. Palin, or any other female in the public eye, on her sex appeal?  Have we not progressed beyond this type of Neanderthal thinking?

The fact of the matter is this, friends and frenemies.  Women are equal members of our society from the boardroom to the hallowed chambers of government to Wall Street to Main Street.  They deserve respect, dignity, appreciation, and equal opportunity.  What they do not deserve is to be judged in any way on their physical attributes.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.